PocketBase
Single-binary backend. SQLite, auth, files, realtime. Zero dependencies.
What it is
PocketBase is a single Go binary (~10MB) that bundles SQLite, JWT auth, S3-compatible file storage, an admin UI, and realtime WebSocket subscriptions. You run it as your backend, or embed it in your Go app.
Why we recommend it
If you need a backend fast and don't want to spin up Postgres + an auth service + a file store + a WebSocket server, PocketBase is the answer. It's a single binary, no external dependencies, and the JS SDK is 30KB.
When to use it
- Side projects and MVPs that need auth + DB in 5 minutes
- Mobile app backends (works great with Flutter, React Native)
- Internal tools where you'd otherwise reach for Supabase
- Embedded in Go apps as the data layer
Quickstart
Run this in your terminal. Self-hosts locally with Docker or your preferred setup.
$ curl -sL https://github.com/pocketbase/pocketbase/releases/download/v0.22.0/pocketbase_0.22.0_linux_amd64.zip -o pb.zip && unzip pb.zip && ./pocketbase serveSetup
Tags
Integrates with
Common use cases
- →mvps
- →mobile-backends
- →internal-tools
- →embedded
Pricing
Free. Open source under MIT. Single binary, no fees, no telemetry.
Related projects
Appsmith
by Appsmith
Self-hostable low-code platform with 45+ data source integrations. Drag-and-drop UI, JS everywhere, granular permissions. The most flexible Retool alternative.
Appwrite
by Appwrite
Appwrite is a self-hosted BaaS that gives you auth, databases, storage, functions, and messaging in one Docker container. It supports multiple databases (MariaDB, MongoDB, PostgreSQL), multiple runtimes (Node, Python, Dart, PHP), and has SDKs for web, Flutter, iOS, Android, and React Native.
Baserow
by Baserow
Self-hostable no-code database. Build tables, link records, create forms, and collaborate in real time. The closest open source analog to Airtable.